The battle between Luffy and Mihawk lasted for half an hour.
However, both held back, never using their strongest techniques. Even so, Luffy kept his promise—he managed to land a punch on Mihawk, though he also took several cuts in return.
In the end, it seemed Mihawk's break was over. He sheathed his sword and turned away.
"You fought well today. I'll be waiting for you on the Grand Line! Roronoa Zoro, don't die too soon—I expect you to surpass me!"
"Of course!"
Zoro's fighting spirit didn't waver. Instead, he became even more determined.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to Luffy and said, "Captain, I lost. That must have disappointed you. But I won't lose again. From now on, I won't lose until I become the strongest! You got any objections, future Pirate King?"
Luffy grinned widely. "Hee hee, nope!"
At that moment, Mihawk returned to his coffin boat.
Luffy quickly called out, "Mihawk! Do you know Shanks? Pass a message for me—tell him I'm here, with my straw hat and my crew!"
Mihawk glanced at Luffy's hat, then gave a slight nod without saying a word.
He also cast a look at Carl but resisted the urge to draw his sword. It was rare to meet a young man with such potential. Mihawk would have liked a proper fight, but Carl clearly had no interest.
If that was the case, there was no reason to force it.
Mihawk's ship drifted away as the Baratie and the Merry set sail again.
When Luffy, Carl, and Zoro returned to the Baratie, the crew erupted into cheers, looking at Luffy with admiration and awe.
That was the world's greatest swordsman—Dracule Mihawk!
And yet, the Straw Hats had held their own against him!
Even though Mihawk hadn't gone all out, the fact that they had fought him at all was astonishing. The battle had been nothing short of terrifying—something most of them had never witnessed in their lives.
Carl quietly put away his camera and walked up to Nami.
"Nami, see? I wasn't lying, was I?" Carl asked with a smile.
"Yeah... Everything you said was true! Luffy is really, really strong!" Nami's eyes shone with excitement.
She had spent years under the Arlong Pirates, but even when Arlong fought, it was nothing compared to what she had just witnessed.
So how could someone like Arlong ever stand a chance against Luffy?
At that moment, Nami finally felt completely at ease.
Just then, Krieg woke up—it looked like he was about to start causing trouble again.
Gin punched Krieg out cold again, then turned to everyone and bowed apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Sanji-san, everyone. This whole mess was my fault. But... I have to shamelessly ask for some food and water. I'll leave with the rest of the crew after that. Please!"
"Of course, no problem."
Sanji replied calmly and personally prepared supplies for Gin and the remaining Krieg Pirates before sending them off.
After this incident, the Krieg Pirates were as good as finished. Even if they tried to rise again, Krieg himself might have lost the will to continue.
"MEAT! I WANT MEAT!"
Luffy suddenly shouted.
The chefs of the Baratie burst into laughter and eagerly started cooking for the Straw Hats. Their skills were truly remarkable—every dish was delicious, which was no surprise given the Baratie's fame across the East Blue.
Watching all this, Carl glanced at Sanji, who was busy flirting with Nami again.
"Ahem, Luffy, we came here to find a cook!"
Carl's words snapped Luffy out of his meat-induced trance.
He turned to Sanji and declared, "Sanji! You're gonna be the cook for the Straw Hat Pirates!"
But Sanji immediately refused. "Not interested. I'm staying here at the Baratie!"
"I think you should go," Zeff interjected. "We've got an old man and a full crew here—we don't need you. Besides, your cooking is awful, and you always cause trouble. This place will run a lot smoother without you."
Sanji was furious. "Damn it, old man! Say whatever you want, but don't insult my cooking!"
"Cooking? You call that half-baked nonsense 'cuisine'?"
"You... you damn old geezer!"
Enraged, Sanji stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Luffy, still chewing on a piece of meat, blinked in confusion before grabbing another chunk and heading after him.
Carl knew Luffy was going to find Sanji and figured the cook would bring up All Blue at some point. But with Luffy targeting him, there was no escaping.
With that thought, Carl relaxed and focused on his meal.
Once they had eaten their fill, the Straw Hats prepared to leave.
No one knew what Luffy and Zeff said to Sanji, but in the end, Sanji showed up at the Going Merry with a large backpack, ready to go.
On the way, he even beat up a few chefs who had been planning to get revenge.
As the Merry set sail, Sanji never once looked back.
"Sanji, don't catch a cold."
Zeff's words immediately broke Sanji's composure.
"Chef Zeff! Thank you for everything!"
Sanji dropped to his knees on the deck, his words bringing Zeff and the rest of the chefs to tears.
Fortunately, despite the emotions, they all parted on a happy note.
It was only then that Carl realized—Krieg's gear was still on the ship.
As the Merry gradually sailed away from the Baratie, Sanji got to work. Luffy had declared that they would celebrate their new crewmate with a feast. But since they had something important to take care of first, he could only prepare a simple meal for now.
"Important? What are we doing?" Sanji asked, confused.
"Sanji, we're heading to Nami's hometown," Usopp explained.
Hearing this, Sanji's expression darkened. He was furious, already itching to beat Arlong to a pulp. Without hesitation, he ran to Nami, eager to make his presence known.
"Nami-san, don't worry! Now that I'm here, I'll take care of that damn Arlong!"
"Thank you, Sanji-kun."
"Tch! Stupid cook," Zoro muttered.
"You wanna die, you moss-headed swordsman?!" Sanji shot back.
The two instantly started brawling like natural rivals. Fortunately, Nami quickly "resolved" the fight, and peace returned to the ship.
While Sanji was preparing the small feast, a massive bull-like head suddenly emerged from the sea.
Jango, Usopp, and Luffy froze in shock.
"Huh? Moo?"
Nami immediately recognized it.
"Nami, you know that thing?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah, that's Momoo, a sea beast and the pet of the Arlong Pirates. Be careful—this thing can crush a ship!"
"Haha, it's fine, it's fine…"
Before Luffy could finish, Momoo opened its massive jaws, ready to chomp down on the Merry.
Luffy's eyes narrowed.
A wave of Conqueror's Haki surged toward Momoo's brain. The sea beast's eyes rolled back in terror.
It wasn't that Momoo couldn't withstand Luffy's Haki—it was that Luffy controlled his power just enough to make his point.
Cold sweat dripped down Momoo's face as it stared at Luffy, too afraid to move.
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